Vatican City, Jun 28, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul II welcomed His Holiness Bartholomew I, the Patriarch of Constantinople, this morning to mark the 40th anniversary of the historic embrace of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Atenagora in Jerusalem in January 1964.
“We give thanks to God as we commemorate together the blessed encounter that took place 40 years ago between my venerable predecessor, Pope Paul VI, and the venerable Patriarch Atenagora,” said the Pope.
The Pope called that encounter “providential …for the life of the Church, both courageous and joyous at the same time!”
“Inspired by their trust and love for God, our enlightened predecessors knew how to move beyond prejudice and secular misunderstandings, and offered an admirable example as pastors and guides of the People of God,” said the Pope.